chalk vs unchalked with respect to price

[cuesrus]

The Reason We Are on this Forum

Hey Rob-
The only reason I would disagree with you here is because of the quoted sentence above that I highlighted. I took a look at your signature and noticed that perhaps the reason you have experienced appreciation over time despite play is because the cues that you own are all 'collectible' cues. They are highly sought after, collectible cues which are limited in in supply. Anything that is in extremely high demand and extremely short supply is going to appreciate in value rather rapidly.

However, for the less collectible cue, ie those that are not as high in demand and abundant in supply, they have a lower value. When a customer wants something to be in the best condition possible, that customer tends to think "New". Anything with chalk on it is an idication that it is not new.

As someone else in this thread posted, any cuemaker worth his salt can make a slightly used shaft look new again. The operative word here is 'again'. The cue is no longer new. If I wanted to pay 'new cue' prices, I'd rather know that some cuemaker didn't take someone's already-played cue and just make it look new again. If you ask me, the drop in price for a chalked tip can be justified in most cases.But in the cases of Rob's cues (Showmans, Herceks, Szambotis, etc.) it should NOT affect the value at all. Its the condition of the shaft and the butt section that should dictate the value here. JMO.

I mention "custom" cues in my comparison. Not production cues (Longoni, Cuetec,Scorpion, you get my drift!) which of course after being used lose some of their value. If you hold on to ANY custom cuemakers work for a long period of time , you will get appreciation in its value. Over the years, the cuemakers rates go up due to many variables and it will be hard to get into a similar cue for the same amount of cash.

That in mind, even some production cues can appreciate! Older Schons that were spliced by Bob Runde are worth double what you bought them for in the 80's. Also Meucci Originals are worth more than the newer Meuccis.

That is why you have so many people out there willing to spend big bucks on cues! People realize that if they want to to buy and hold, they will make money in the long haul. Or you could get lucky and buy into the next Dennis Searing!!

JMO

Rob